Folk Museum, Gloucester, England United Kingdom

Gloucester Folk Museum is one of the oldest-established museums dedicated to social history. The collections have been drawn together mainly through gifts from the entire county of Gloucestershire, and represent one of the most fascinating collections of such material.

Set in 500 year old Tudor timber-framed buildings, one of which was traditionally associated with the final night of the Protestant martyr, Bishop Hooper, the Folk Museum is a complex of rooms on different levels with a unique ambience that makes it a popular sight for locals and visitors. Behind the chocolate-box facade is a museum with a cottage garden to the rear which is both larger than seems possible, and constantly surprising.

From treen (small wooden items), to the intriguing story of the river Severn fisheries, from historic costume to the life of the dairy; from the reconstructed Victorian classroom to the original pin factory - all of these plus hundreds of other elements of our local history are to be found here.

A wide range of exhibitions, hands-on activities, events, demonstrations, children's holiday activities, and role play sessions are held throughout the year both inside the museum and outside in the attractive cottage garden and courtyard area.

Folk Tea Rooms
As part of the Lottery funded museum make-over the Folk Museum has just opened the Folk Tea Rooms. The Double Gloucester Dairy has been transformed into a haven of home baked goods, speciality teas and coffees, wholesome lunches and seasonal foods. Think vintage chic meets country kitchen and come and enjoy a treat to eat in or take away.

Folk Boutique
Another new addition is the Folk boutique which houses an eclectic range of kitch and retro gifts, vintage and shabby chic household goods, local crafts and jewellery, cards, wrapping, gift boxes and more. So, if you normally shop online or travel further afield to find that perfect gift or item for your home then come and have a sneak preview of what treats our new boutique has to offer.

The 'Ed Shed'
Gloucester Folk Museums newest addition is the Ed Shed. This purpose built centre will give full disabled access to one of the Folk’s most popular education features, the Victorian Class room. With the addition of a large ground floor space and a fully landscaped garden, the multipurpose building will mean the museum can put on more events, whatever the weather, host themed banquets, birthday parties, weddings, private hires, workshops and much more.